ACP Fall Newsletter

Get ready to dance the night away at Academy with Community Partners High School’s Homecoming Dance!

See the flyer below for full details, including time, location, and ticket information. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Join us for a heartwarming community event at Academy with Community Partners High School on Saturday, November 8, from 10 AM to 2 PM! This special day brings together pet adoption agencies, vendors, and our amazing students for a cause that makes a difference.

📍 Location: 433 N Hall, Mesa, AZ 85203
Come for the fun, stay for the cause and maybe even find your new best friend!

Get ready to show your school pride! Check out the flyer below for all the themed days and join the fun.

We’ll be celebrating Halloween on Tuesday, October 29. Students and staff are encouraged to show their school spirit by dressing up in school-appropriate costumes. Let’s keep it fun and respectful.

We are excited to announce our Annual Thanksgiving Feast on Thursday, November 20th! Join us for a day of celebration, delicious food, and community spirit. More details and information on how to participate will be shared soon.

Hello families,

It is hard to believe that October is already here! It seems like we just started school and welcomed everyone back to a new year. I hope that this newsletter finds you and your student(s) doing well and that the beginning of the year has been a positive experience. Please feel free to contact your teacher or me if you have any questions or concerns.

We are excited for the upcoming events at ACP for all students (online and in person). If you or your student would like to support any of these events, please reach out to us and let us know how you'd like to help. We look forward to seeing you more on campus for events like homecoming, Paws for a Cause, and our annual Thanksgiving Feast. Thank you for your continued support of our school, our staff, and our students.

Dear Families,

We are about 45 days into the school year, and what an exciting start it has been! Our students and staff have hit the ground running, and we’re proud of the energy, dedication, and momentum we’ve seen so far.

Looking ahead, Block 2 is well underway. To ensure our students continue building strong academic foundations, we are excited to announce the addition of an Intervention Day focused on Math and English support. This dedicated time will help students strengthen key skills and stay on track for success.

The excitement doesn’t stop in the classroom! We are gearing up for our first Homecoming Dance, and we expect another incredible performance from our ACP Lion Flag Football Team in their big game. These events are wonderful opportunities for our students to celebrate their hard work and show their school pride.

We are so proud of everything our students and staff have accomplished so far this year, and we’re looking forward to making Block 2 even stronger. Thank you for your continued support in helping our Lions shine!

Hello families,

What an exciting time of year as we move into the second block! There’s so much to look forward to, our upcoming Feast celebration, flag football, the start of basketball, eSports, and co-ed kickball. This season offers wonderful opportunities for families to spend quality time together as the holidays approach.

We encourage you to continue making memories, engaging in school activities, and staying focused on your educational goals. Let’s finish this semester strong!

Hello families,

I hope you’re having a wonderful week! Just a reminder about a couple of important things to help our students stay on track and make the most of their experience at Academy with Community Partners High School.

Attendance Matters – Regular attendance is key to student success, whether learning online or in person. Being present helps students stay on track, engage with lessons, and build strong connections with teachers and classmates. Every day counts toward learning and growth!

Income Forms – If you received an income form from our Operations Team via email, please take a moment to fill it out. These forms help our school continue to provide valuable resources and opportunities for every student.

Remember, we’re always here to help! Whether you have a question, run into a small hiccup, or just need a little guidance, we can connect you with the right person or team. Thank you for being such an important part of our school community.

Pumpkins aren’t just for carving! They’re actually fruits (yes, fruits!) and are part of the squash family. Plus, they can float in water because they’re 90% water.

Our Student Success Coordinator, Kristina Norris, is here to support you! If you need assistance with your Canvas account or have any other questions, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Phone: 480-676-5753

Email: knorris@accelschools.com

We’re also proud to recognize our Students of the Block for Block 1:

• Marco Quidada
• Elena Herrera
• Rene Garcia
• Yoselin Aguilar
• Josie Coon
• Alec Konecek
• Isidro Moreno
• Luis Jimenez Patino

These students have stood out for their effort, growth, and contributions to our school community.

Congratulations to Mr. Smith, our Block 1 Teacher of the Block! He has truly mastered project-based teaching while also demonstrating outstanding classroom and behavior management skills.

We are proud to announce that our very own Coach Freas, who also serves as our Athletic Director, was honored on August 1st, 2025 with the 2024–2025 Athletic Director of the Year Award. Coach Freas has dedicated himself tirelessly to fostering a culture of teamwork, integrity, and an “academics-first” mindset among our students. His leadership has instilled the core value of “doing the right thing, even when no one is watching,” setting a remarkable example for both our athletes and the entire school community.

We are honored to share that Academy with Community Partners was awarded $5,000 from The Crane Charitable Funds. Ms. Gina Little, Principal and Ms. Carla Mannes, Counselor proudly accepted the donation at the check distribution ceremony on September 25th at the Crane Aerospace and Electronics Chandler site. This generous gift will be used to support our students and teachers, helping enhance learning opportunities and resources at ACP. We are grateful to Crane Charitable Funds for supporting local schools and organizations making a difference in our community!

My name is Alejandra Espinoza and I am an ASU alumni. I am currently working on my MA in English at Arizona State University West campus. I love to read fantasy, historical fiction and dystopian novels. In my spare time I like trying new restaurants, thrifting and spending time with my dog. I am excited to begin this new journey at ACP and look forward to using my knowledge and experience to inspire students to broaden their horizons and achieve their goals.

Hello! My name is Shawna Fritzsche. I’m a proud Arizona native, a mother of five, and a grandmother (“Mimi”) to two wonderful grandchildren. I’m also an endurance athlete with a degree in Criminal Justice and a deep love for Jesus. In my free time, I enjoy writing poetry and spending time outdoors whenever I can, whether it’s between work, workouts, or homework!

This is my first year at ACP and my 35th year in education. I am excited to work with students and families this year on a virtual platform. I have a son who is 16 years old. I enjoy hiking, time with family and friends, being active, traveling, and listening to music.

Mighty Lions Choose to ROAR

R - Respectful

O - Open-Minded

A - Achievers

R - Responsible

Key Components of ROAR

• Clear Expectations: We establish and communicate clear behavioral expectations for students across different settings within the school. This helps students understand what behaviors are expected and how they can achieve them.

• Positive Reinforcement: We recognize and reward positive behavior through various incentives and praise. This reinforces desired behaviors and encourages students to continue making good choices.

Benefits of ROAR:

• Improved Behavior: By focusing on positive reinforcement and clear expectations, ROAR helps reduce behavioral issues and promotes a more respectful and cooperative school environment.
• Enhanced Learning: A positive and supportive environment allows students to focus on learning and achieve their academic goals.
• Stronger School Community: ROAR fosters a sense of community and belonging among students, staff, and families, contributing to a more inclusive and supportive school culture.

Consistent attendance is a key factor in student success, whether learning in person or online. Every class period provides essential instruction, meaningful interaction, and opportunities for academic growth. When students attend regularly, they stay connected, engaged, and on track to meet their educational goals.

We understand that life happens, but we encourage families to prioritize attendance and communicate proactively with our team when challenges arise. Together, we can ensure every student has the best chance to thrive.

Attendance matters, and we want to ensure all families are informed. Please take a moment to review our attendance policy to better understand expectations for both in-person and online students. This important information helps support student success and is also available in our Student Handbook.

To report an absence, please do one of the following within 24 hours of the absence.

1. Call the Office at (480)-833-0068 & Press "1" for Attendance

2. Email the attendance office at attendance@acparizona.org with the following information:

➔Student First and Last Name and Grade Level

➔ Date of Absence

➔ Reason for Absence

➔ Parent/Guardian Name Reporting the Absence

➔ Parent/Guardian Contact Phone Number

➔ Attach any Medical Documents (if applicable)

Please see the attachments below for a preview of where to access the dashboard, how to log in, and answers to frequently asked questions. If you need additional support, don’t hesitate to reach out to a member of our Operations Team.

A new feature of the Parent Portal will allow our school to securely collect documents directly through the platform. This includes, but is not limited to, contact information updates and school form acknowledgements.

Friday School is a great opportunity for students to catch up on missed hours due to absences and receive extra support from their teachers. Held on Friday(s) from 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM, our dedicated teachers are on campus to provide guidance, answer questions, and help students stay on track with their learning. Take advantage of this time to get ahead, strengthen understanding, and ensure academic success!

On August 21st, 2025, our Student Council attended the Arizona Association of Student Councils Fall Spirit Conference at Mesquite High School. They participated in workshops, connected with peers, and returned full of energy and new ideas to bring spirit and positivity to ACP High School.

On August 28th, ACP High School hosted our annual Senior Sunrise Breakfast. A thank you to all the staff and students who joined us bright and early. A special shout-out to Ms. Mannes for organizing the breakfast provided at the event.

These student leaders are eager to make a positive impact on campus and build a strong sense of community to ACP High School.

Student Body President: Hector Encinas

Student Body Vice President: Benjamin Reed

Student Body Secretary: Kennedy Fitzsimmons

Student Body Treasurer: Madison Venegas

Remember that each year there is an AZ tax credit of $200 for individuals and $400 for families when you donate to a school. This means that if you give a donation of that amount to the school (with receipt) you get that as a tax credit back on your AZ state taxes. Business/Corporate donations can be up to $800. These donations are used to help our sports and other extracurricular activities. Please talk to Mrs. Guzman at the front office if you'd like to make a donation. For more information, you can go to https://azdor.gov/tax-credits/public-school-tax-credit

Forgot Your Password?

Contact the School Operations Manager, Taylor Sorensen at tsorensen@accelschools.com for assistance.

Senior fees for all current 12th graders for the 2025–2026 school year are now due! Payments can be made easily online using the link provided. Please make sure to submit your payment by August 15, 2025 to stay on track for all senior year activities and graduation planning.

Family income forms play a crucial role in supporting our school and students. As you receive this form from our office, please take a moment to complete it. Family income forms are essential for determining eligibility for various federal and state funding programs. These forms help schools qualify for funding that supports educational resources and services.

Parents and guardians may request information about the qualifications of their teachers at any time by emailing our Operations Manager, Taylor Sorensen at tsorensen@accelschools.com. These are also available at our school office at 433 N Hall in Mesa, AZ.

Questions? Call our front office at 480-833-0068